I get these same feminist feelies when I see commercials for cleaning products that make men look like idiots who don’t know how to hold a mop or sandwich baggie ads displaying an incompetent dad failing at simple things like making a sandwich. I know approximately 0 men who are this ridiculous and the caricature of such is an insult to both men and women.

I also get these feminist feelies when my eyes accidentally catch a headline on a “fashion” magazine on the display rack at the grocery check out that reads “32 Ways To Please Your Man In Bed While Doing Yoga In The Kitchen While Making Him A Sandwich And Fashion Tips To Appear Slimmer While Doing It And Also Lose 10lbs”. Again, this type of content in the world is doing none of us any favors. Also, why so many sandwiches?

As a runner who is single, I decided to write my own list of reasons to date a runner.

Reasons To Date A Person Who Runs

Any runner will tell you that everything we do in life can be connected back to running. We don’t mean this in some obsessive way but the general concepts it takes to train for any race or run any distance brings lessons to us that we stick in our pocket to carry around indefinitely.

The fact is, we are people who run, not just runners. Simply because we run doesn’t mean that is all we are. However, there are certain things we do understand pretty consistently that not all non-runners get. These things can hold value in the world of dating.

1-We understand commitment – We pick a race or distance and commit to training for it. We understand what it takes to reach run goals and know the only way to do it is to suck it up and run come hell or highwater.

Much like the Mail Carrier: rain, sleet or snow we are out there delivering the mail and by mail I mean miles.

To runners commitment isn’t an abstract concept, it is a decision that is made whereupon tangible action must be taken regularly to maintain.

This doesn’t mean that we are good at commitment in a relationship, it just means the conscious choice to commit is rooted in a deep understanding of what commitment really means. I call this: The Realness factor. If we commit, we mean it.

2-We know how to be alone – We don’t need other people to occupy our time every second. Through the hours spent training we really get to know ourselves on a deeper level because of all the time we spend on our feet.

The key to any decent dating or relationship scenario is that each individual is just that – an individual. It also makes us appreciate other people more when we get to be with them.

3-We are positive – When we are running a race or tackling a distance, we understand the mind will tell us a lot of things that may or may not be true.

The fact is this: if we plan on finishing a distance we must choose to ignore the negative voice. To listen to the hater in our heads will murder any chance we have of reaching our goals.

Whether we like it or not we are forced to connect with the upside of things as much as possible. This means when the chips are down we welcome the opportunity to turn it around.

4-Performance trumps appearance – Have you ever seen a lady runner pull over and check her make up or a guy runner stop to put on deodorant or fix his hair during a run? I didn’t think so.

Yes, we do plan our cute run outfits, maybe wear make up, get manicures but the reality is we kinda like being dirty, sweaty and maybe bloody if possible. We think this is attractive.

Running feels primal because it is and the socially defined “nasty factor” is one we kind of sort of like. When you make a date with us we appreciate cleaning up well while simultaneously being up for pretty much anything and tend to place value on experience vs appearance.

5-Stamina and endurance – Do I need to explain why this might be a good skillset? I didn’t think so.

6-We take responsibility for our own actions and choices – When running it’s important to be aware of body functioning, nutrition, gear and other runners on the course. Any misstep can have dire results. Being tuned into this we know how to own our “stuff” instead of putting it on everyone else.

7-We know how to fail – We have failed many times during our runs. We fail big and small pretty consistently.

Failure can come in the form of something as simple as not bringing enough water or wearing the wrong socks.

We are comfortable with failing and this not only keeps us motivated to learn and grow but checks our egos on a regular basis.

Experiencing this much failure regularly makes us more empathetic and kind of in love with imperfection. Since none of us are perfect, everybody wins.

8 – Butts – Our butts are good and we love looking at everyone else’s butt. We can really appreciate a good butt and will compliment your butt until we make you feel weird about it. Butts. Can I write butt one more time? Who doesn’t like a good butt? BUTT.

If you feel so inclined, you are welcome to comment and share your reasons for dating a runner.